The Philippine Consulate General

Philippine Consulate General

7th Floor, 160 Eglinton Ave. East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 3B5
Tel.: (416) 922.7181
Fax.: (416) 922.2638
Email: consularmatters@philcongen-toronto.com

Direction from the Consulate General to:

the nearest Bus Station:
Eglinton Ave. East at Redpath Ave.
(Bus no. 34A, 34C, 34S, 51, 54A)
Click for direction.
the nearest Train Station:
Eglinton Subway Station (Train No. 1)
Click for direction.
the nearest Post office:
250 A Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, ON M4P 1K0
Click for direction

Trade Office

Suite 903, 80 Richmond Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2A4
Tel.: (416) 855.1775
Fax.: (647) 729.5028
Email: toronto@dti.gov.ph

Web : https://www.dti.gov.ph/overseas/toronto/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DTI-Toronto-127477961223211/

Migrant Workers Office (MWO)

2nd Floor, 160 Eglinton Ave. East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 3B5
Tel.: (416) 975.8252
Hotline.: (647) 992-7656

Email- official: mwo_toronto@dmw.gov.ph

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWOToronto

Social Security System (SSS)

2nd Floor, 160 Eglinton Ave. East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 3B5
Tel.: (416) 485.2999; (416)485.2888
Telefax.: (416) 485.2881
Email: toronto@sss.gov.ph

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ssstoronto/

Pag-IBIG Fund

Email: vo_northamerica@pagibigfund.gov.ph

PR 68-2020

05 Oct. 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto officials, led by Consul General Orontes Castro, along with officials of POLO Toronto, Labor Officer Atty. Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo and Welfare Officer Maria Lourdes Reyes, Senior Trade Commissioner (STC) Ma. Roseni Alvero of the Trade Section Office and Philippine Honorary Consul to Winnipeg Ronaldo Opina conducted a virtual meeting via ZOOM with two Filipino-Canadian Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Manitoba, Canada, Honorable Jon Reyes and Honorable Malaya Marcelino on 9 September 2020. Honorable Reyes is the current MLA for Waverley while Honorable Marcelino is the MLA for Notre Dame. Consul General Castro also paid a courtesy call to the two legislators.

Consul General Castro, in his remarks, stated that the Filipino Community in Manitoba continues to grow and that Filipinos are employed in the agriculture, services and health sectors, among others. He expressed gratitude to the Manitoba Government for their kind treatment of Filipino immigrants and workers in the province and the financial support that the latter received during the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned that the Philippines continues to enjoy an investment-grade credit rating and while it has suffered from the pandemic, similar to other countries, it has shown signs of resilience.

Honorable Reyes provided a brief history of the arrival of Filipinos in Canada, specifically in Manitoba and how the Philippines has consistently been in the top source countries for immigrants to Manitoba over the last 10 years, totaling approximately 40,000 individuals in that time period. He delineated the bilateral relations between Manitoba and the Philippines, including merchandise trade between them over the years, and the agreements concluded between educational institutions and government agencies from both sides. The huge population of residents of Filipino descent in the province also encouraged Jollibee and other leading food companies to set up branches in Winnipeg City. Over the years, the Filipino community has had a huge impact on the province’s politics, economy and culture.

Labor Officer Zozobrado-Nagayo presented the functions of POLO Toronto, including verification of employment contracts, accreditation of foreign placement agencies, and provision of welfare benefits to Filipino workers. Welfare Officer Reyes also explained that OWWA provides insurance and welfare benefits for Filipino workers and medical assistance for distressed Filipino workers.

STC Alvero pointed out the various programs planned for Manitoba including a Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) event which involves in-store promotion activities featuring Filipino food products and a movie on Filipino food. At present, the Trade Office Section is holding webinars on trade, investments and entrepreneurship for OFs.

Honorable Marcelino stated that there is a huge potential for stronger economic integration between Manitoba and the Philippines in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. A direct flight between Manitoba and the Philippines would result in increased trade and employment between the two sides. She also said that in the current pandemic, Manitoba offers free COVID-19 testing and screening for persons living in the province regardless of their status.

The meeting also discussed consular services for Filipino and Filipino-Canadian residents in Manitoba, potential trade and investment collaborations between the Philippines and Manitoba and collaborative socio-cultural programs that may be pursued in the future.

Meeting with Honorable Jon Reyes, MLA for Waverley

Another virtual meeting was held between PCG Toronto officials, headed by Consul General Orontes Castro, and Honorable Jon Reyes, MLA for Waverley on 18 September 2020 via ZOOM. Honorable Reyes reiterated his interest to pursue stronger trade relations between Manitoba and the Philippines and one of the drivers for this would be the strong connections of several Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians residing in Manitoba with the Philippines. He recommended that a trade mission from the Philippines visit Manitoba in the near future. He also stated that there is also a huge potential for growth in bilateral trade between Manitoba and the Philippines if PAL flights would come to the province.

Consul General Castro agreed that there is a potential for stronger ties between Manitoba and the Philippines. He said that cooperation in the energy sector can be pursued through exchanges of experts and with Filipino students coming to Manitoba to take course on the energy sector in its universities.

The meeting also discussed other areas of cooperation such as holding Filipino cultural events and possible activities by the Filipino Community in Manitoba related to the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines in 2021. -END

MLAmanitoba — Consul General Orontes Castro (Center, Top Row), with Hon. Jon Reyes (Rightmost, Top Row), Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Leftmost, Bottom Row), Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza (Leftmost, Top Row), Senior Trade Commissioner Ma. Roseni Alvero (Second from Left, Bottom Row), Labor Officer Atty. Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo (Rightmost, Bottom Row), and Welfare Officer Maria Lourdes Reyes (Second from Right, Bottom Row). during the Virtual Meeting on 09 September 2020 (PCG Toronto Photo).

PR 72-2020

26 November 2020, City of Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto is pleased to announce that the Province of Manitoba issued a Proclamation on 25 November 2020 on the Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines. The Proclamation was signed by the Honorable Cathy Cox, Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage, Province of Manitoba.

The Consulate General requested Honorable Jon Reyes and Honorable Malaya Marcelino, Filipino-Canadians elected Members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, to initiate similar Proclamations on the Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines after the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) approved their separate Proclamations on the Quincentennial Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines on 17 and 29 September 2020, respectively. MLA Reyes actively worked with the Office of Minister Cox on the approval and signing of the Proclamation.

The Proclamation from the Province of Manitoba recognizes the significant contributions of Filipino-Canadians to social, economic, and cultural makeup of the country of Canada. It cited the importance of Filipino culture in the Province of Manitoba which proclaimed in 2019 the month of June as Philippine Heritage Month every year. The Proclamation likewise recognizes the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.

Through the Proclamation, Minister Cox proclaims the year 2021 as Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines in the Province of Manitoba and encourages all Canadian citizens in the province to support this once in a lifetime event that promotes unique and diverse traditions and cultures in the Province of Manitoba.END

income tax — *Photo of MLA Jon Reyes and Minister Cathy Cox with the Proclamation*

PR 70-2020

19 November 2020, Toronto, Ontario – On 18 November 2020, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) launched Sentro Rizal Toronto’s Padayon Art Competition titled “Paghilom at Pag-asa Mula sa Pandemya” (Healing and Hope from the Pandemic). The Art Competition is Sentro Rizal Toronto’s project in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The in-person launch of the art competition was supposed to be held today at the DPCDSB, simultaneously with the Signing and Launch of the Proclamation celebrating the Quincentennial Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines. Unfortunately, the launch and signing of the Proclamation was held in abeyance due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in the Peel region. The Ontario Provincial government placed the region under the “red zone”, which shifted to a tiered and color-coded system for managing pandemic measures in the province.

The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto highly appreciated the decision of the DPCDSB to launch the Art Competition with the Consulate General on 18 November 2020. The Announcement on the Art Competition was posted on the official website of the DPCDSB, with online link at https://www.dpcdsb.org/news/events.

The launch officially started the Call for Entries for the art competition in the DPCDSB. To date, Post has been receiving inquiries from interested students under the DPCDSB. Plans are underway for the entries to be received in the art competition to be exhibited next year in schools, libraries, and in Filipino Canadian community centers and in various Filipino Canadian community organizations’ events leading to the Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines. - END

DUFFERIN-ART — Screenshot of the launch and announcement on the Philippine Consulate General’s Sentro Rizal Toronto’s Padayon Art Competition titled, “Paghilom at Pag-asa Mula Sa Pandemya” (Healing and Hope From the Pandemic) on the official website of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB).

PR 71-2020

23 November 2020, Toronto, Ontario – The Philippine Consulate General of Toronto organized an online seminar on “Basic Tax Information Training”, in partnership with the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants (AFCA). The webinar on 20 November 2020 was attended by members of the Filipino Canadian community in Post’s jurisdiction, as well as the Consulate officers and staff and their dependents.

The webinar was organized as part of the Consulate General’s continuing effort of reaching out to the Filipino community and as related to our Gender and Development (GAD) programs for both the community and for the Consulate’s personnel.

The webinar was conducted by Mr. Casiano P. Martinez and moderated by Mr. Zaldy M. Perez, both Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the Philippines and Canada and officers of AFCA. AFCA’s President, Ms. Nimfa Villaroman-Santos was also present and gave her Opening Remarks at the webinar. Consul General Orontes Castro likewise gave his Welcome Remarks to everyone who attended the online tax training.

The webinar discussed, among others, the basis of taxation in Canada, the determination of residency status, information on who should file Income Tax, the age required to file, what income are taxable or reportable and those that are not, the tax filing deadline, the income tax rates in both Federal and Provincial, tax tips and credits, basic information needed by one’s accountant, refundable and non-refundable tax credits, and other deductions such as medical expenses, expenses of seniors living in retirement homes, charitable donations, and moving expenses. Mr. Martinez also replied to queries raised by the attendees and he kindly gave his contact email address so people could send in their queries.

AFCA is an active partner of the Consulate General in Toronto in providing helpful, practical, and effective projects and services to the Filipino-Canadian community in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

income tax

The webinar, Basic Income Tax Course, presented by Mr. Casiano Z. Martinez

Before the webinar ended, Consul General Orontes V. Castro thanked AFCA President Ms. Villaroman-Santos for accepting the Consulate General’s invitation to conduct the Tax webinar. He also thanked Messrs. Martinez and Perez by presenting them Certificates of Appreciation, for the informative presentation and for sharing invaluable advice on the Canadian tax system. The Consul General also expressed his appreciation to the participants who took time off their Friday night to attend the webinar - the officers and members of the Filipino-Canadian community and the personnel of the Philippine Consulate General. As of 23 November 2020, the webinar garnered 861 views, 17 likes and 9 shares. END

income tax

The Certificates of Appreciation that were given to Messrs. Casiano Z. Martinez and Zaldy M. Perez. - END

12 November 2020, Toronto, Ontario – Canada celebrated Remembrance Day yesterday, 11 November 2020. The Queen’s Park Ceremony of Remembrance was held on the said date to honor the veterans and active service members, at an outdoor service in the Ontario Veterans Memorial, in front of the Legislative Assembly in Toronto. The Ontario Veterans Memorial, built in 2006, is a lasting tribute to Canadian veterans and serves as a continual reminder of the heroism, bravery, and sacrifices made by those who have served and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict, and peace, for the protection of the freedom of Canada.

Like many nations around the world, Canadians gather on Remembrance Day to remember and thank millions of Canadians who served, not only the First and Second World Wars, but also the Korean War, the Persian Gulf War, and the Afghanistan War. As Major Jean-Michel Gidlow, Master of Ceremonies at the Ontario’s Remembrance Day Ceremony, “By remembering their service and their sacrifice on Remembrance Day, we recognize the significant differences these men and women have made to our democracy, our freedom, and our future”.

Remembrance Day 2020 was different from previous celebrations during the past years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To reduce the risk of exposure or spread the virus, the ceremony followed provincial health and safety protocol, including having fewer attendees, adhering to the strict rules on physical distancing. The public was encouraged to watch the solemn ceremony on television or through the online livestreaming.

The Platform Party, which were the distinguished guests at the ceremony, was composed of the following: (1) Honorable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; (2) Honorable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; (3) Mrs. Raine Samson Dawe, 2019 National Silver Cross Mother; (4) Honorable Carolyn Ann Bennett, Member of Parliament & Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations & Northern Affairs; (5) Honorable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries; (6) Brigadier-General Conrad Mialkowski, Commander, 4th Canadian Division; (7) Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnn Archibald; (8) Jessica Bell, Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament, Legislative Assembly of Ontario; (9) General (Retired) Rick Hillier, Former Chief of the Defense Staff, Canadian Armed Forces; (10) Major-General (Retired) David Fraser, Canadian Armed Forces; and (11) Mr. Steven Davidson, Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Ontario Public Service.

The highlight of the ceremony was the Laying of the Wreaths by the distinguished guests. Veterans and community organizations, as well as members of the Consular Corps of Toronto, bring wreaths to Queen's park every year to take part in the Remembrance Day ceremony. This year, these organizations sent their wreaths, which were placed along the Veteran Memorial. The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto was among those who donated a wreath for this momentous occasion. The donors of wreaths were duly acknowledged during the live streaming by flashing their names on the screen during the wreath-laying. END